I'm upgrading from F150 to F250 or 2500. Diesel or Gasoline

[Galaxiedriver]

Diesel or Gasoline. Diesel costs about 6 to 7 grand more upfront, Diesel fuel is just shy of a dollar per gallon more than gasoline. What do folks here think.

I really want to ask Ford, Ram or Chevy but I feel I don't dare. I have been a Ford man all my life but the Rams look really nice inside and out.

[JohnB]

Hi Paul,

I went through this same thought process when I bought my 05 F350.

Hands down the diesel has more low end torque at a much lower RPM. There is no getting around that. And the new Ford 6.7 V8 diesel is a monster with 800 ft # of torque.....

My V10 3 valve 6.8 is a good puller with the 5 speed Torque shift tranny and the 4.10 rear axle. In my case I was after 21,000# GCWR for towing reserve and with the right cargo capacity to go along with it. If your looking new the 6.2 V8 has replaced the 6.8 V10 in the smaller trucks.

The 6.8 3 valve V10 has
Horsepower (SAE net)362 @ 4750 rpm Torque457 lb.-ft. @ 3250 rpm

The new 6.2 V8 gasser
385hp @ 5500 rpm and 405ft lb @ 4500 rpm

The new Gasser revs higher to get close to the same area.

For your camper, the diesel will hands down not be a problem. The gasser will do it with gears. The 2012 6.2 V8 with 4.30 rear axle is rated at 22,000 # GCWR.

You can do good pulling with either the diesel or the gasser. The thing that swayed me was the gas was easier get and more available then Diesel and I can get more cargo capacity in the truck with the gasser.

If you are going to be doing a lot of west coast higher elevations, then the diesel with the turbo will be better.

Good luck. This is a tough call and a personal preference.

John

[henryj]

We bought this truck new to tow the 2499 so I made the deliberate choice to buy gas. It is a second vehicle and most of its mileage is towing. I've never regretted buying gas--well maybe a little on one or two mountain passes--and would do so again, largely for personal reasons. At the same time, I'm sure no one who bought diesel regrets it either. We've traveled with my brother who then owned a Dmax and Titanium 5er and the extra power of diesel has to be experienced to believe it. Actually the times I would most like a diesel are when traveling into western headwinds where driving a gas rig is exhausting for the engine and driver. Hills and even mountain passes come and go with little drama, but headwinds never let up.

Unless you've already decided you want the stronger suspension and axles of the 3/4 ton, I would check out Ford's latest F150 with V8 and the eco boost V6. Your 5.4L is a bit of a dog and pretty dated technology. I think you'll be surprised by the latest and greatest in gas engines. My neighbor tandem tows a 5er and fishing boat with a 2011 eco boost. I'd question whether the F150's rear axle is up to that task, but he says the power is at least as good as his old 454 Chevy. See if a dealer will loan you one long enough for a test tow, or rent one for a day.

Henry

[MACK C-85]

I'm not going to start the "Big Three Issue", because all three have good points, but if you decide to go new diesel, I beleive Ram is the only one not requiring the use of Diesel Exhaust Fluid. In my area, cost and availability of the DEF would make this a biggie for me. It's weird, but the last time I looked the 2500/3500 pickups do not use it, but the cab/chassis models with the same engine do need it.

FYI, I went from a '01 5.2 powered Dodge 1500 4x4 to the '04 Dodge 2500 Crew Cab 4x4 W/the Cummins and it pulls the T276SR like a dream.

Mack

[Tweety]

I haven't pulled our 2753 with anything but our 2007 Sierra 2500 Duramax/Alison, so really have nothing to compare to. BUT I do know that it's easy for me to forget the trailer is back there, even in the mountains in southwest Virginia. There's a thread here somewhere that discusses people's various fuel mileages, and you could dig that up and see what you think. We got 13.5 mpg on the last trip. We started in the mountains of southwest Virginia, and ended in the rolling hills of eastern PA. The fuel light came on as we pulled in the driveway, so it was a tank of total towing.

[DianeScraps]

I have several times wished we had a diesel, because there are some fuel stations where it is much easier to get in and out with a trailer, if you need diesel.

[OhhWell]

Originally Posted by DianeScraps

I have several times wished we had a diesel, because there are some fuel stations where it is much easier to get in and out with a trailer, if you need diesel.

Hahahah. Yeah! I've run into that too. Most recently at a truck stop near Ft Meyers FL. 4 beutifull wide pull-through lanes for deisel and a clustered 2 lanes righ after a curve for gas. Was just wonderfull turning 50 ft of rig through there.

Anyow, JohnB pretty much nailed it. Gas is a bit easier and works well for us as we don't tow alot. It just doesn't feel as powerfull cause the RPMs have to scream to get to full power.

Deisel engines add alot of weight to the truck, use 2 batteries, burn oil by design and require a bit more mainenance BUT they last forever with that maintenance and give that "Feels like the trailer is not even there" feeling cause all the power is in the low RPMs. Also, Turbo is standard on a Deisel which is great for high altitude.

[GoodoleBob]

This subject is as timeless at the old reliable 5th Wheel verses Travel Trailer threads which populate all the RV forums.

My 04 Dodge Diesel gets outstanding towing mileage...15-16 mpg in cruise control.

I can easily find diesel fuel everwhere I have ever traveled with it.

I pay about what premiun gas costs most times.

My truck tows as if it was having fun doing so...

and get ready now...it sounds like a real truck is suppose to sound...

Now go git yurself one and be happy forever after.

Ain't opinions just grand...

[Galaxiedriver]

I've looked at the big 3 and thus far am going with my old standby Ford. After 50 years my brand loyalty just won't let me change.

The gas F250 Super Cab 4x4 with the 6.2 L, 6 speed auto trans and 3.73 gears will tow 12,200. The Ram 2500 Quad cab with 5.7 and 3.73 will tow 10,500 if I checked the numbers correctly.

Got the '06 F150 all cleaned up today and am going to talk trade this week. At 69000 she is just getting broke in.

[Poqprince]

Our strategy was to buy used diesel to avoid higher new price. We found a 2006 2500 Dodge Cummins Laramie under 50000 miles and certified. I wanted 2 wheel drive and short bed. We added the 100,000 dodge bumper to bumper warranty independent of dealer we made purchase from, they are thousands cheaper on Internet thru another dealer, and have had zero issues in the last 18 months and 35000 miles. I used Blackstone labs to analyze both transmission and engine oil first changes and both were better than expected.

I originally towed with a 2004 Dodge Durango Hemi. For our purposes, I much prefer the Cummins and it provides for our future move from a 2363 to a 286SR. By my calculations we saved 18000-20000 given the longevity we expect. Mpg has ranged from 10.7 in northern Arizona Mts to 13.8 on coastal plain in NC and VA. Durango ranged from 7.5 in VA Mts to 10.8 on coastal plain. The diesel is double the miles between changes. The fuel filter is more critical but everything else has been similar. The approach has worked for us...good luck!

[Galaxiedriver]

Thanks for all the thoughtful replies.

We have opted for a 2012 Ford XLT F250 with 6.2L gasoline engine and six speed trans driving through 3.73 gears. Towing capacity 12,500. Sterling Grey Silver color with some goodies. It will be a very sharp TV for the sunline.

We will make the switch tomorrow at the Jefferson City Ford Dealer, get the hitch all set up on it then off to Texas Hill Country for a few weeks to escape the snow. Kerrville, Fredericksburg, Luckenbach etc.

Very happy with the deal we got for the 2006 F150 with 69XXx miles. It was just a bit too wussy for the Sunline especially for the mountain travel we plan for next summer.

[Ed]

Galaxiedriver
Hope you put some easy miles on this truck(500-1000) before you tow with it. Let it break in a little. You will love this truck, I got a new one last year at this time. I gave up a08 F150 with only 24,000 to buy this but what a difference in the towing, and I am only pulling a 2363 Lite. Ed

[Hematite]

Originally Posted by Galaxiedriver

Thanks for all the thoughtful replies.

We have opted for a 2012 Ford XLT F250 with 6.2L gasoline engine and six speed trans driving through 3.73 gears. Towing capacity 12,500. Sterling Grey Silver color with some goodies. It will be a very sharp TV for the sunline.

We will make the switch tomorrow at the Jefferson City Ford Dealer, get the hitch all set up on it then off to Texas Hill Country for a few weeks to escape the snow. Kerrville, Fredericksburg, Luckenbach etc.

Very happy with the deal we got for the 2006 F150 with 69XXx miles. It was just a bit too wussy for the Sunline especially for the mountain travel we plan for next summer.

Very nice choice. I would have bought the exact vehicle down to the color if I ever decided to change. I've never had a problem towing with the F150 that I have, including up to 8000 lbs boat or equipment trailers. Actually, even in fairly good mountains (Mass Pike) the truck has never had even a slight problem maintaining speed. The heavy, longer Sunline that you have would be more of a challenge with weight AND wind resistance combining, though. Best of luck with a great choice!

[Poppy & Nana]

Congrats on your new vehicle.....hope you have many happy miles towing!